Category Manager

Mueller Water Products•Remote - Tennessee, TN

18d

About The Position

The Category Manager serves as a subject matter expert for supply chains involving industrial and/or electronics components. This person leads the development and execution of sourcing strategies and the introduction of supply chains for smart products and solutions throughout Mueller. The role works across supply categories and business units, engaging and leading cross-functional teams to meet business needs, and provides functional leadership to purchasing personnel. The Category Manager may work across multiple categories according to their strengths and experience. Background in industrial manufacturing sourcing and/or electronics is preferred.

Requirements

Relevant procurement or sourcing background with demonstrated knowledge of electronics and technologies.
Exceptional interpersonal skills and ability to work in a team-focused environment.
Strong analytical skills.
Effective verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to manage and lead through influence.
Strong competitive negotiation skills.
Ability to develop, create, and manage RFP/RFQ processes.
Ability to plan ahead, organize, and prioritize workload to meet project deadlines.
Ability to complete tasks within requested timelines with limited oversight.
Global and diversity mindset, with ability to adapt to cultural or situational differences.
Risk awareness and mitigation skills.
Commitment to continuous improvement and value generation.
Solid business acumen.
Ability to learn quickly and manage sourcing activities across multiple purchasing groups as needed, including technologies, manufacturing, services, foundry, fabrication, and raw materials.

Nice To Haves

BA or BS in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business Management, or a relevant area.
At least 6 years of relevant experience.
Strong manufacturing background.
Professional certification in Purchasing, Sourcing, Procurement, or Supply Chain.
Background in industrial manufacturing sourcing and/or electronics.

Responsibilities

Partner with the assigned category and Mueller Operations to capture and pursue business needs.
Manage annual spend and create and implement source strategies based on a strong understanding of Mueller’s business.
Manage price and cost in line with company objectives and market fluctuations.
Develop and implement sourcing strategies, identify business potential and best cost, and create plans to achieve it.
Provide functional leadership for the purchasing department within the assigned value stream.
Manage strategic supplier relationships and develop and manage supplier contracts.
Understand Mueller’s manufacturing capabilities and lead make-or-buy decisions and execution.
Understand business demand; identify suppliers that support Mueller’s production planning; and review supplier capacity, inventory, and advance-buying needs.
Report status as required and support project-team, value-stream, and steering-committee meetings, as well as stakeholder engagement.
Serve as a subject matter expert for systems and technologies supply chains.
Lead supplier development when appropriate, managing risk, developing supplier capabilities and quality, and leading corrective actions.
Support Mueller’s supply-chain risk-management program by identifying risks and leading projects to reduce risk continuously.
Work closely with Engineering to influence technical design decisions in support of technical capabilities, cost, and business objectives.
Ensure suppliers comply with Mueller’s requirements and policies.
Stay knowledgeable about value-stream supply-chain matters, including economic and supply-chain trends, technologies, legislation, environmental aspects, and global tariffs.